Updated March 14, 2022 . AmFam Team
Want to make the roads safer while protecting you, your loved ones and your car? Take the first step by honing your driving skills. Defensive driving is defined as driving safely as possible in order to save lives, time and money. It’s also about being aware so that you’re able to react safely in any situation.
Take a look at these tips to help you become a more fully engaged driver and stay safer behind the wheel, wherever you’re headed.
New advances in lane departure warning systems and crash prevention technologies are becoming standard in newer vehicles and can really help you stay safe. According to a 2015 Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) study, systems like these cut lane departure crash fatalities by a whopping 86%. That’s tech really worth having onboard when you’re buying a new car.
It’s true: text messages and smartphones are an ever-present part of everyday life. And honestly, you’re a safer driver when you’re not texting and driving. According to a National Safety Council report in 2016, cell phone use while driving led to more than 1.6 million accidents in one year alone.
It may seem counterintuitive, but you may be best to assume that other drivers around you will make mistakes. This is the essence of defensive driving. Anticipate issues before they arise and think up a plan to prevent small miscalculations by others from turning into major pileups.
Expect drivers to run red lights and miss stop signs. By slowing down in intersections, you’ll be safer, and so will other drivers around you. Minimum auto coverages vary by state, but adding uninsured motorist coverage helps protect you and other drivers.
When you’ve got time to react, you’ll be better able to maneuver out of trouble and safely avoid multi-car accidents. And it’s as simple as following at a safe distance. Allow for 4 -6 seconds of space between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
Count the number of seconds it takes you to arrive at a marker on the road in front of you. Start counting as the vehicle ahead passes that marker, it should be no sooner than 4 seconds. And build out a bigger time buffer when traffic conditions are degraded like when it’s snowing or raining.
Arriving on time is frequently out of your hands. This is particularly the case when traffic is snarled due to rush hour or when an accident closes a lane or two on the way to your destination. By reducing your speed, you’ll help keep traffic flowing safely and you may be able to react more readily to changing conditions.
One great way to stay safe is to keep thinking about ways to avoid potential accidents that may pop up while you’re driving. And it’s a fantastic way to stay present and engaged when you’re on the road. Anticipate how drivers might mess up and drift into your lane and come up with an escape route that allows you to exit safely.
Look for alternative routes out of a situation and be ready for the unexpected when you’re on the road. You’ll have a better chance of making the right quick decision when seconds count.
Road hazards, bad weather, poor visibility, slippery conditions — sometimes, you get to drive with all of these factors in play at the same time. By separating these risks and having a plan for each of them on their own, you’ll be more prepared for issues where these problems surface at the same time.
Refreshing your driving skills is a great way to step up and own your commitment to being a safer driver. In addition to a potential break on your insurance rates, online defensive driving courses allow you to review the basics and be a better driver every time you hit the road. Online driver courses like AARP’s Safe Driver program even offer a certificate of completion.
Road safety starts with getting smart coverage before you get behind the wheel. Coverages like comprehensive insurance, collision coverage and bodily injury liability insurance help keep you and your family safer.
See? It’s really pretty simple! As you improve your driving habits and up your game, reach out to your American Family Insurance agent for a quote. You’ll have great coverage from an insurance company that helps you become a better, safer driver.
*Customers who bundle home and auto insurance policies may save up to 23% on both policies together (as of December 2023). Discounts may vary by state, property, policy form and company underwriting the home and/or auto policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverages on a home or auto policy.
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This article is for informational purposes only and based on information that is widely available. This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. You should contact a professional for advice specific to your situation. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites that may be linked in this article.